Android TV controller leaked

The first Android TV controller has leaked online, giving us a look at what you’ll use to play games with on your TV.

Google announced Android TV at its annual Google I/O developers’ conference, explaining that it isn’t quite a new smart TV platform, but just giving TVs the same level of attention as tablets and smartphones.

One Reddit user has pulled out a picture of the first Android TV controller, revealing the design of the gamepad ahead of its release later this year.

From the looks of the design, it will be very familiar to existing gamers in terms of layout. There’s the traditional face buttons, mimicking that of the Xbox One and other Microsoft consoles, as well as the standard D pad on the left.

You’ve got two analogue sticks in the centre, parallel to each other making that section a bit more PS4-like.

In the centre, it looks like Google has put three buttons, with two of them aping the Android operating system’s home and back buttons. In the middle of those is a larger round button, which will probably give access either to the Android TV home screen or to a slew of options.

There are four LED lights beneath those buttons too, suggesting that four player local multiplayer will be possible, possibly each with their own Google logo themed colour.

It could be that this is just a prototype for Android TV controller or a reference design to be given to third party manufacturers like Nvidia.

Nvidia was given special attention during Google’s I/O keynote, with its new Nvidia K1 chipset showcasing some pretty serious graphic power.

In fact, there are some similarities between the Android TV controller and the Nvidia Shield, so it’s possible that the two could share or use similar APIs.

Google hasn’t detailed whether this controller will be made commercially available at any point, but you’ll start seeing the first Android TV set top boxes arrive in the autumn.